First off, my car is an 03 with 12,500 miles on it, i bought it about a month ago from a family friend. I went on a spirited drive tonight with a couple of my friends in the decker/mulholland area and we were making our uphill Decker canyon run as usual. I was going at a quick pace and had a very good run, car was running perfectly. I pull over to wait for one of our slower friends, and while I am sitting there my other friend gets out of his car and comes up to my window. He tells me that on one straightaway my car bellowed a huge puff of black smoke from the exhaust tips. The particular straight was one where I shift 2nd to 3rd hard on the gas. I was concerned, but my car was running perfectly and I saw no reason to go back home. So we continued our drive, and I was following my friend quickly into a 2nd gear right hand corner. I downshifted 3rd to 2nd and the trans grinds momentarily, not bad at all but for a split second. This has never happened before and it scared me so I slowed until we reached our lookout point. While I am driving slowly I notice a whirring from the trans, not loud but I havent noticed it before. It only whirrs if I am on the gas, and there is also a low squeaking sound all the time almost like worn brake pads. It shifts fine exactly like before, but now it has the noises. I had all maintenance done on the car when I got it, synthetic oil, honda fluids in the trans and diff, and a full inspection of the car. What did I just do to my car? I am not the best driver, but I have been to many track days and do know the basics of driving a car quickly and handling a manual transmission, Ive had manuals since I was 16. I loved the car up until now, but is this what I can expect from owning an S2000? I cant afford a new trans, so whats next?

 

More than likely everything is fine. You probably just beat the synchros on the downshift. Did you rev match when you downshifted? Many s2k owners complain that they gind 2nd on upshifts...I've certainly done it and I'd bet I've been driving stick since before you were born.

The noise you hear may be the normal sound of the input shaft spinning. It is just you were more sensitive to the noise after grinding the gears.

And not to worry about the puff of smoke on upshift. It's not uncommon. It may be some minor blow-by around the rings or oil from the valve train. Usually it is easier to see at night with headlights shining on your tailpipes. If it really worries you, do a compression check to make sure you don't have a bad ring.

 

Sorry to hear that. I would start with another transmission fluid change. If you originally had it done somewhere, try doing it yourself. You never know what some tech may have done incorrectly. There are diy threads. If still having problems, find a good performance shop to take it to. Avoid dealerships as they usually will find all kinds of needed repairs, often ones that are not really existing. That puff of smoke does not sound good. You should have a talk with the guy you bought it from. Even people you think you know well can lie, especially when it comes to money! Good luck.

 

I've just changed my transmission fluid with Honda's new formulated stuff
because I've used to have grinding problems, usually first to second upshift.
Anyway, with the new fluid it shifts much more smoothly. And so far,
no problems with grinding.

 

I have had several 1-2 upshift grinds over the last year...but the shifter doesn't hang. It goes straight in...I think this is a common issue and wear and tear on transmission components including synchros is minimal.

The black puff of smoke is a rich condition. No worries. Just the ecu trying to catch up with you. The worst thing that can possibly happen from the engine running rich is a fouled spark plug...and that takes a while. Had the smoke been blue, it would have indicated burning oil, possibly from blow-by. Had it been white you might be looking at a new head gasket or worse. But black is ok.

I agree that a little whine from the trannie is not uncommon. And when you think there may be something wrong you will hear all sorts of strange new noises. That's normal, too.